ISRO tastes another glory with successful launch of South Asia Satellite

TIL Desk/National/Chennai/ In order to strengthen ties in the South Asian region, India has launched a communication satellite for the use of six neighbouring countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro’s) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) carrying South Asia Satellite, which is a gift from India to its neighbouring countries, was launched successfully on Friday evening.

A S Kiran Kumar, chairman, Isro, said the rocket transported the South Asia Satellite from earth to a geostationary transfer orbit, using the GSLV, which has indigenously-developed cryogenic engine. The satellite operations would be controlled from Isro’s facility in Hasan, and in the coming few weeks, the satellite will reach its destination of Geostationary orbit.

Addressing the heads of the neighbouring nations, who joined through a teleconference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today is a historic day for South Asia — a day without precedence.” The successful launch of the South Asia satellite marks the fulfilment of the promise India made two years ago.